Erling Haaland's adventures in Manchester City

sportsczy wrote:Because the transfer fee was so low, Haaland asked Madrid to include a release clause of just $150 million that can be triggered in 2 years.  Flo said no and Haaland moved on.

That was the deal breaker per reputed media.

I would like to know who your reputed media is? Surely it’s not the same sources of your numerous denials of Mbappe coming to Madrid!

I have heard there were several reasons why Madrid never submitted an offer.

1. The interest started as an alternative if they couldn’t get Mbappe. Mbappe always was the number 1 target.

2. No offer was contemplated until the Mbappe deal was secured (which happened in Late January). Then it was an issue of first not doing anything publically until Mbappe could be formally announced. Then it was also a possible compatability issue with Mbappe primarily, but secondly with Benzema.

3. The compatability issue had several takes to it. Mbappe is going to have the top level, on salary level, would Haaland accept that? The current team has a great humble attitude with no player feeling he is better than the rest. They know Mbappe will fit into this atmosphere, but there are doubts with Haaland. Then there are the issues with playing time, positions etc. in a perfect world, it would be best for Haaland to come when Benzema is in decline. Plus there is the possibility that Haaland could be available in a couple of years.

3. Then there is the cost for Haaland, reported all costs is at 350M. That is beyond the sound financial budget philosophy of club. Biggest issue was the agent fees. As with Mbappe, they could possibly offer him a larger percentage of image rights (which Madrid do not announce this publicly) and lower overall costs, but definitely they were not willing to match City. Basically you had Madrid adapt to club if he really wants to come, while player / agent / father wanted highest offer. Can’t really fault either.

It is what it is. Time to move on.

WATTBA that Bundesfodder rejects are rejecting Madrid or asking for a release clause

Spoiler:

It's a money move, right?
City's system doesn't seem to me like it would harmonize particularly well with Haaland, and vice versa?

Not just money. I think playing under the guidance of the bald fraud can also be quite tempting for many players.

Of course City's money must have also played a huge part in convincing him and his agent. Madrid simply can't compete with them on a financial level.

It's not surprising. These kids grew up watching his Barca and probably associate Messi's development with him. His playing style also contributes to it. I remember Grealish saying he wanted to join City because he wanted to play for a team who held the ball 70% of the game. Add the fact his teams always win trophies then it's sensible he has transfer pull.

That being said coaches don't have much transfer pull in the grand scheme of things due to the short nature of their stints. Players normally won't take big pay cuts on the basis of who the coach is lol.

@Bill.

Here's the Cadena SER article re the release clause refusal:

https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2022/05/09/el-real-madrid-rechazo-las-condiciones-de-haaland-pedian-una-clausula-de-liberacion-de-150-millones-en-su-segundo-ano-de-contrato-cadena-ser/

I don't know how reliable these numbers are, but I imagine he'd be able to demand higher wages at both Man United and PSG.

futbol_bill wrote:

3. The compatability issue had several takes to it. Mbappe is going to have the top level, on salary level, would Haaland accept that? The current team has a great humble attitude with no player feeling he is better than the rest. They know Mbappe will fit into this atmosphere, but there are doubts with Haaland. Then there are the issues with playing time, positions etc. in a perfect world, it would be best for Haaland to come when Benzema is in decline. Plus there is the possibility that Haaland could be available in a couple of years.

Are the Spanish media claiming that he's some kind of egocentric diva, like they occasionally did with Martin Ødegaard? It's great that no player feels that they are better than the rest, as long as Vinicius accepts that he won't get the ball as long as he sucks. Maybe that motivated him to improve

No not at all. It’s more a case of Madrid not knowing. The dressing room right now is very harmonizing. Bring in two superstar kids may alter that dynamic. They already know Mbappe gets along with Benz. They don’t know the mindset of Haaland. If he comes in at highest salary, he may think he is best on team, and there is the issue of playing all of Benzema, Haaland and Mbappe. As I said, in a perfect world, he would come in when Benzema is declining.

As for Vinicius, if Haaland did come, he would be the bench player! And even with just Mbappe coming in, he has to switch to RW and I’m thinking with Rodrygo recent development, Vinicius may be taking a back seat to his countryman. Vinicius has to turn down his antics, strive for more consistency and adapt to the opposite side. Meanwhile Rodrygo just keeps getting better, is very consistent around goal and is a smarter player.

sportsczy wrote:@Bill.

Here's the Cadena SER article re the release clause refusal:

https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2022/05/09/el-real-madrid-rechazo-las-condiciones-de-haaland-pedian-una-clausula-de-liberacion-de-150-millones-en-su-segundo-ano-de-contrato-cadena-ser/

Did you actually read this Sport? It’s from SER Catalunya! You’ve really taken to calling Barca media (the other time it was Sport) as reputable Madrid sources.

The issue I believe was Raiola! Let alone the other issues I mentioned. I think it always was an alternative if Mbappe didn’t come.

futbol_bill wrote:The issue I believe was Raiola! Let alone the other issues I mentioned. I think it always was an alternative if Mbappe didn’t come.

I think you are right about Benzema being the reason for Perez's reluctance and ultimate refusal to go after Haaland.

He must be thinking that Benzema still has a a couple years left in the tank to lead the frontline, and as a result, it doesn't make sense to bring Haaland right now. He also must be thinking about Vini and Rodrygo who would definitely see even less playing time with Haaland on board.

I think he took a decision to keep the harmony of the team, which is a good enough reason.

To circle back to Haaland, even with the news about his City contract having a 150m release clause that will become active from 2024, I don't think Florentino will go after him even then.

Haaland is a confirmed killer, and I really, realy, really wanted Madrid to sign him, but I guess some players aren't meant to play for Madrid. I have to accept it and move on.

I just hope that when Benzema declines, we will have someone ready to take over.

futbol_bill wrote:

sportsczy wrote:@Bill.

Here's the Cadena SER article re the release clause refusal:

https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2022/05/09/el-real-madrid-rechazo-las-condiciones-de-haaland-pedian-una-clausula-de-liberacion-de-150-millones-en-su-segundo-ano-de-contrato-cadena-ser/

Did you actually read this Sport? It’s from SER Catalunya! You’ve really taken to calling Barca media (the other time it was Sport) as reputable Madrid sources.  

The issue I believe was Raiola! Let alone the other issues I mentioned. I think it always was an alternative if Mbappe didn’t come.

Did you read it?

Pacojó Delgado (Madrid-based) https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacoj%C3%B3_Delgado broke the story re the clause issue with Madrid (2nd paragraph).

SER Catalunya is the one that broke the story that he's going to City (first paragraph).

ffs dude.

I'm sure we had the money for Haaland. But I think the biggest obstacle was benzema. Current best player in the world and shoe in ballon dor. You don't sell him for Haaland. I saw so many posts saying we can just switch to 442 or have Haaland and Benz rotate or loan Haaland back to dortmund all of which are ridiculous.

He chose city and that's the end of it

It will be most interesting to see how haaland fares in city.

Personally I think guy will stand out in a bad way, for the style that the bald hipster employs, he doesn't fit on paper but thats okay. Pep style is trash so haaland forcing a change/adjustment whether small or large will actually be for the better despite the hipsters nonsensical musings.

Whether he succeeds will depend on his personality, and whether or not it clashes with the hipster. Ibra and aguero come into mind. Mostly Ibra, though haaland doesn't strike me as someone with an ego that's noticeable. He should be fine. If guardiola can't get the best out of him that's on pep, not haaland.

Dumbo 2.0?

Tbh Borussia have signed a better overall player in Adeyemi. Good business.

Myesyats wrote:Tbh Borussia have signed a better overall player in Adeyemi. Good business.

I'll quote you on that at the end of next season when Dortmund are a top 5 team in Bundesliga

This city team is a madness with Haaland up top

Wowzers as if they weren’t scary enough to face before now you have to also keep up with the galloping viking

He has an aura on the pitch. He's gonna bag 40+ lmfao.

Prime Agüero didn't bag 40, I'm not sure how you're expecting him to bag more than Kun.

Man the way people talk about Haaland after just 1 game is kind of insane. "Scary", "will destroy", "like a viking come again". Let's chill on the hyperbole. He's not R9. I'm sure he will score a lot, because any top CF playing for a Pep team will score a lot, but he has to earn his place at the podium before this kind of talk is warranted.

Yeah the hype around this guy is nuts. Even Ronaldo joining Madrid wasn't publicised as much. I'm sick of going everywhere online and having to read someone getting wet for Haaland before he's done anything spectacular.

Also I hear people who compare him to Zlatan, perhaps they have forgotten that besides strength and pace Zlatan was a very technical player like R9 and Haaland for all his astonishing pace and power as well as being very lethal in front of goal doesn't even have a tenth of Ibra's technical ability.

If he stays injury free and hits his potential then he’s going to finish as the all time top scorer in official competitions. That’s his ceiling.

Yeah he’s not Ibra technically, but he joined the best coach in the world when it comes to improving that aspect.

He’s a better goal scorer at 22 than Ibra was. Physically it looks like he was made in a lab. 6’5 with electric pace and a rocket of a left foot. Sky’s the limit really.